Reviews
Our virtual 2021 performance of Patience drew critical acclaim:
“Director and choreographer Melissa S. Craib Dombrowski presides over a vivacious, vigorous, virtual production, brimming with genuine humor and a cast who can act as well as sing. Music director Joanna Sisk-Purvis has brought together the accompaniment and vocal performances beautifully — easier said than done in the online world… Shout-out to Pam Guidry-Vollers for make-up and hair design… Hannah Lingafelt is gothly melodramatic as Ella. Kim Kingsley is a rugged and earthy Lady Jane; and Layla Dougani plays Lady Saphir, who seems to have a thing for men that pay their taxes. We have a practical, winning, blithe Patience from Eleanor Hanna… The Durham Savoyards’ stage choruses are always energetic and enthusiastic — it’s obvious they adore G&S. The herd mentality of the lovelorn maidens reminds us of how an artistic (or political) movement can spiral out of control — especially in the age of social media.” Nancy Rich, Triangle Arts & Entertainment, 3/28/21 [Full review]
Our 2019 performance of The Mikado set in a modern American fashion show was a critical success:
“The production team assembled for The Durham Savoyards’ staging of The Mikado united an array of talented individuals whose shared vision yielded a show that earned its laughs… James Vollers’s set designs established the physical parameters of the production’s concept with clever details and clear sight lines… Matt Artigues devised lighting designs that artfully illuminated not just the sets and the singers occupying them but also the opera’s narrative … Formidable when her maneuvering was thwarted but touchingly vulnerable when lamenting her amorous misadventures, [Alana] Sealy’s Katisha was a potent feminine force… [Michael] Rowe’s robust singing reflected the Mikado’s social stature, completing a peevishly charismatic portrait of the character… Greg Toft made Titipu’s Lord High Executioner Ko-Ko a complex, maddening, and curiously magnetic figure whose foibles were all the more amusing for being recognizably universal… Durham Savoyards’ production of The Mikado affirmed that comedy is most effective when the artists bringing it to life take it seriously. This was a Mikado that was unafraid of frivolity, but its greatest virtue was its exploration of the inherent comedy in extraordinary things happening to thoroughly ordinary people.” PERFORMANCE REVIEW, © by Joseph Newsome, Voix des Arts 3/30/19 [full review]
“…vibrancy and joy exploding from the stage toward this critic; immediately curing him of his cautious optimism and infusing him with pure merriment… Pam Guidry-Vollers’ hair and makeup designs are distinctly Paris chic and UK glam, while Karen Guidry’s innovative fashions embolden Japanese flavors to an absurd level with sushi-topped hats and pink obi bustiers… adorably goofy and golden-voiced tenor Brady Delvecchio… gentle and sincere soprano Farren Hilliard… Jim Burnette realizes the ridiculous politician with greater commitment to character than any other Pooh-Bah we’ve seen… harmonious cast and Cooper’s nimble and indefatigable live orchestra… If this Savoyards production is any indication, Derrick Ivey might just be the one to finally fix The Mikado.” Chatham Life & Style Review [full review]
Our 2017 World Premiere of Gilbert, Jones, & Sullivan’s Thespis paired with Trial by Jury garnered some attention:
“Durham Savoyards’ Version of G&S’s Thespis and Trial by Jury Provide a Sweet Escape” : “Jones’ score hits the old Gilbert & Sullivan benchmarks… This orchestra is the best that I’ve heard assembled by any community theater in the area…Everyone in the room is doing stellar work …Harmonious lighting by designer Andy Parks… One of the night’s standout performers was Triangle actor Dan Mason… Adding much flavor to the evening was the addition of Gilbert & Sullivan’s Trial by Jury …Director-choreographer Derrick Ivey’s staging… keeps things lively…With engaging reactions and an impressive vocal range, Tyler Graeper was a joy to watch as dejected lover Edwin.” Dustin K. Britt, Triangle Arts & Entertainment [full review]
Our 2015 production of Utopia, Ltd. gained some plaudits from the press! Here are excerpts from articles appearing in local media, along with links to the full articles:
“Durham Savoyards’ Performance of ‘Utopia Limited’ Captivates Queen Victoria (and Her Subjects)” : “…a luscious, simple set… the exquisite lighting of Jenni Becker … The multitalented Derrick Ivey has created the familiar style of Gilbert & Sullivan’s Savoy Operas, with quick paced, tightly knit dancers circling one another and weaving amongst themselves. Musically supporting this fine cast is the excellent Durham Savoy Opera Orchestra, under the baton of Alan Riley Jones.” Martha Keravuori and Chuck Galle, Triangle Arts & Entertainment [full review]
“Durham Savoyards’ Sparkling Utopia, Limited“: “That King, Jim Burnette, was delightfully absurd…He and Alana Sealy as Lady Sophy, were extremely enjoyable together, with Sealy nearly stealing the show…Even better in the singing were Kathleen Jasinskas and Mitchener Howell as Princess Zara and Captain Fitzbattleaxe. The other princesses, the alleged Flowers of Progress and the assorted maidens, guards and choruses all sang well, but some of the greatest pleasure came from from Stuart Albert and Steve Dobbins as the wise men Scaphio and Phantis, along with Chris Newlon as the Public Exploder…All the singers were well supported by the Durham Savoy Orchestra in the pit…Director and choreographer Derrick Ivey (also responsible for the charming set) keeps the show lively, with brisk timing and constant motion…” Kate Dobbs Ariail, Classical Voices North Carolina [full review]
Our 2013 production of The Pirates of Penzance garnered much media attention! Here are excerpts from articles appearing in the local media, along with links to the full articles:
“Sail Ho Ho Ho: Durham Savoyards Delight with Gilbert & Sullivan’s ‘The Pirates of Penzance’“: “[S]cenic designer Richard Dideriksen’s splendid recreation of various locations along the coast of Cornwall… lively song-and-dance routines for the tender-hearted gentlemen pirates of Penzance… Major-General Stanley (a sublimely silly impersonation by comic baritone Stuart Albert)… Jim Burnette, Jr. is amusing as the braggadocio swashbuckling Pirate King… Ray Ubinger tickles funny-bones as the feckless local Sergeant of Police…” Robert W. McDowell, Triangle Arts & Entertainment [full review]
“Durham Savoyards bring out the big dog with The Pirates of Penzance“: “Derrick Ivey’s nimbly staged but sometimes uneven production works best—and is gleefully funny—when the actors approach the material with gravitas… Stuart Albert is hysterical as the sibilant Major-General Stanley… Kenny Cruz fully commits to his role as the wide-eyed but duty-bound Frederic, and Mary Elisabeth Hirsh showcases a beautiful voice…” Emma Miller, Indy Week [full review]
“THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, swashbuckling and singing once again as The Durham Savoyards celebrate 50 years of frolicking fun at the Carolina“: “In need of some unalloyed entertainment with singing, dancing, bold costumes, and a happy ending? … Directed clearly and deftly choreographed this year by Derrick Ivey, with Alan Riley Jones conducting a cogent, well-rehearsed orchestra, it’s a strong show… the lead characters were all in good voice, with Kenny Cruz as Frederick and Mary Elisabeth Hirsch as Mabel singing particularly well… Elizabeth Artemis Clark repeatedly threatened to run away with the show as Pirate Ruth… battalions of cheerful, talented men and women who spend untold hours playing hard so that we may laugh.” Kate Dobbs Ariail, The Five Points Star [full review]
“Troupe brings the zany in ‘Pirates’“: “The Durham Savoyards theater troupe’s single-minded dramatic mission began half a century ago…And for its anniversary, the group will present the Gilbert and Sullivan musical that Durham Savoyards first performed, “The Pirates of Penzance.”” The Durham News [full preview]
“Our Picks – Recommended – The Pirates of Penzance“: “(T)he Savoyards really, really like their Gilbert and Sullivan; they’ve performed nothing but the duo’s 14 comic operas since the group’s inception in 1963… you’ll finally understand all those pop culture references to Pirates’ oft-parodied patter song, ‘I am the very model of a modern major-general.'” Emma Miller, Indy Week [full preview]
UNC-TV filmed some interviews and a rehearsal. The resulting show was on North Carolina Weekend (UNC-TV) March 8 & 9. You can now see it on the web at www.unctv.org/ncweekend.
The Herald-Sun did an article on Carol and Jim Sackett, who met as members of the cast of Pirates of Penzance during the Durham Savoyards’ first production in 1963, and are in this year’s production as members of the royal chorus.
‘Pirates of Penzance’ launched Durham Savoyards: “Couple Jim and Carol Sackett have been involved with the Durham Savoyards off and on for half a century. In 1963, Jim Sackett was in the chorus for “Pirates,” which was a performance by the Durham Theatre Guild. ‘It didn’t become Durham Savoyards until after the performance. We decided it would be a good idea to do more of them…'” The Herald-Sun [full article].